The Richmond School Board is taking back control of the design, development and construction of new schools, potentially blocking a City Hall plan to fast-track design and development of a replacement building for worn-out George Wythe High School.

In a 5-4 vote Monday, the board adopted a resolution by board member Kenya J. Gibson, 3rd District, to remove the city and return to the more traditional approach that most Virginia school districts follow of taking charge of building development.

The decision came on a night when Superintendent Jason Kamras offered the board his proposal for reopening for summer school and in the fall.

Under the plan that the board may consider at its Monday, April 19, meeting, in-person classes would be offered in the summer for all students, the first significant reopening since the pandemic began. Currently, about 800 students are allowed in-person instruction.

For the start of the 2021-22 school year, the plan would allow middle and high school students to opt for in-person classes or enroll in the Virtual Virginia online program, with RPS paying the $350 fee per course.

Mr. Kamras’ proposal noted that social distancing requirements could result in a hybrid system, particularly in elementary grades. That would mean groupings of students would attend on alternate days or alternate weeks to ensure adequate spacing, he indicated.

On the building front, the board approved the resolution over the objections of Mr. Kamras, who urged the board to stick with the Joint Construction Team approach used in the development of the school district’s three new schools, Henry L. Marsh III and Cardinal elementary and River City Middle School.

Under that approach, the board would continue to select the design and allow the city to lead in securing the construction team and managing the project through its contracted construction manager, AECOM.

Ms. Gibson told the board that state law vests the board with the authority to control development of school buildings, and she urged an end to the practice of handing the lion’s share of responsibility to city officials who she believes have delivered more expensive and less useful buildings.

Data from the state shows that Richmond paid millions more than Chesterfield County for similar sized elementary schools in the latest round of construction the Joint Construction Team oversaw. And all three new buildings missed the deadline for being ready for use by three months.

In vain, Mr. Kamras argued that the board and administration should “maintain our focus on teaching and learning rather than construction.” But a majority of the board disagreed, including Ms. Gibson; Mariah L. White, 2nd District; Vice Chairman Jonathan M. Young, 4th District; Stephanie M. Rizzi, 5th District; and Shonda Harris- Muhammed, 6th District.

Following the vote, Mr. Kamras temporarily shut off his camera at the virtual meeting. So did School Board member Liz B. Doerr, 1st District, who opposed the move. Also voting against the change were board Chairwoman Cheryl L. Burke, 7th District; Dawn C. Page, 8th District; and Nicole Jones, 9th District.

The approved resolution calls on Mr. Kamras to provide recommendations for hiring up to four staff, including a project manager, to manage school development in house. Ms. Gibson believes that the school budget can accommodate adding staff and RPS can begin the process of hiring an architect to design and assist in contractor bidding for George Wythe High School’s replacement. City Council has approved Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s proposal to provide up to $100 million for building the replacement effective July 1, 2023.

Mr. Kamras told the board that the city was on the verge of releasing a request for proposals to begin the process of hiring a construction manager-at-risk.

Fifth District City Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch confirmed that the announcement had been imminent and expressed concern the move would result in a delay in building the replacement high school in the district.

In her view, the board should use its time resolving key educational issues. In the wake of increased city investment, she said she would prefer the board to show that its educational improvement plan is working and be involved in providing adequate before- and after-school programming that it largely leaves the city to provide.